A Deadly Delicious Delivery (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Cindy Bell Page A

a red and white ribbon. She recognized it as a ribbon that they used on the boxes of chocolates they delivered, unless a different color was requested. So, the ribbon had come from the box of chocolates? Her mind spun as she recalled that she had tied the boxes of chocolates for the open house with green and gold ribbons. She suddenly recalled that the box of chocolates in the photo Luke had showed her had red not gold writing. The chocolates on the bedside table weren’t the chocolates from the open house! So where were they?
    Ally’s mind focused in on finding the other box of chocolates. She looked under the bed, in the closet, and even in the dresser drawers. She wasn’t paying much attention to the fact that she had been in the room for quite some time. Then she noticed the air vent. When she pointed her light in that direction, she saw a glimmer of gold. Ally crouched down and popped open the air vent. She reached in and to her surprise there was the unopened box of chocolates. It had gold writing on it with green and gold ribbon just like the box of chocolates that Myrtle had taken on the day of the open house. Ally reached in and pulled it out. Just as she did, a bright light blinded her.
    “Don’t you move a muscle!”
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    The thick voice was enough to make Ally’s skin crawl with fear. She didn’t dare to look in the man’s direction. Her entire body ached with the desire to run and hide, but she knew better. There was no way that she could escape, the man was already towering over her. He slowly lowered his flashlight. As he did Ally could see that he wore a dark blue uniform. It looked similar to a police officer’s, but it wasn’t exactly the same.
    “Who are you?” She stared up at him. His thick, black hair was a mass of curls and his dark blue eyes matched his uniform.
    “I think you’re the one that needs to answer the questions. The police are on their way. If you try to run, I will restrain you.”
    Ally could see from the way that his muscular frame strained against his uniform that he would have no problem with doing just that. “Please, this is all a mix up.”
    “Sure. You just fell into a crime scene? Did you trip on the way up the fire escape that you had no reason to be on?”
    Ally bit into her bottom lip. The man’s attitude made it quite clear that he was not interested in any explanations.
    “I made a mistake, maybe you could just find a way to let this go?”
    The sound of sirens tore through the quiet of Freely Lakes.
    “That’s not really for me to decide, sweetheart. I’m sure the cops will listen to your every word while you’re being locked up.” He shook his head. Then he pointed his light directly at her face again. “Ally Sweet?”
    Ally’s eyes widened. Not only had he caught her, but he now also knew her name, probably knew her. “Do I know you?”
    “Wow. Ally Sweet.” He shook his head. “I never would have predicted this. You’re a long way from your pompoms.”
    Ally’s cheeks heated up fast. She had one miserable year as a cheerleader in high school. It was something she very rarely divulged to anyone. The man before her must have known her from high school. But she didn’t recognize him.
    “I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.”
    “No, you wouldn’t. You didn’t then, and you have no reason to now.” He lowered his flashlight again. “Up here, Detective!”
    Ally groaned under her breath. Not only was she about to be arrested, but Luke would be the one who did it. It made sense that he would be the one who came to the invaded crime scene, since he was the lead detective on the case. She watched his dress shoe cross the windowsill, followed by the rest of him. When he saw her still crouched on the floor his face grew pale.
    “Ally?”
    Ally stood up slowly.
    “Don’t move.” The man beside Luke warned.
    “I’ll take it from here, Jensen.” Luke looked over at the security guard. “Thanks for the